There was jubilation at U.S. military base in Kuwait as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), naturalized 84 Soldiers and Sailors at a chapel located in this oil rich nation. Making it, the largest naturalization ceremony conducted in Kuwait to date. The highlight of the ceremony was that before it began, Army Spec. Tanu Liulamaga led the 41 citizenship candidates from American Samoa in traditional island songs and mesmerized the whole gathering. As Lori Peitropaoli, USCIS Deputy District Director for Rome said, “it was a memorable moment for all of us to hear them sing, and an even greater moment after the ceremony to hear them cheer after receiving their citizenship certificates.” Two of his staff from Rome joined Pietropaoli, who volunteered to process the applications and conduct the citizenship tests. The ceremony was special for brothers Dave and Douglas Satele and their cousin Ignosy Faafoi, who now share more than family bond as they are celebrating their citizenship with 38 fellow American Samoans serving 100^th Infantry Battalion of the Army Reserve. The remaining 43 newest Americans came from 13 countries. After 9/11, the USCIS has naturalized 492 members of the U.S. armed forces in Kuwait and more than 49,000 overall.

For complete information, please click USCIS Naturalizes 84 Members of U.S. Military in Kuwait Ceremony